Cal's Kenny Lawler stretches to corral a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He had three scoring catches in the game.

Cal's Kenny Lawler stretches to corral a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He had three scoring catches in the game.

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright, center, celebrates with safety Jared Tevis (38) and defensive lineman Kirifi Taula after California running back running back Darren Ervin was tackled for a safety during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) less

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright, center, celebrates with safety Jared Tevis (38) and defensive lineman Kirifi Taula after California running back running back Darren Ervin was tackled for a safety during the ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Arizona quarterback B.J. Denker (7) passes against California during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Arizona quarterback B.J. Denker (7) passes against California during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Arizona safety Jourdon Grandon (26) celebrates after intercepting California quarterback Jared Goff during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. Arizona won 33-28. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) less

Arizona safety Jourdon Grandon (26) celebrates after intercepting California quarterback Jared Goff during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Cal can't catch Arizona, loses 7th straight 33-28

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It took 364 minutes and 22 seconds of playing time, but for the first time since Sept. 7, Cal held a lead in a football game Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Bears, they couldn't hold it.

Despite an early lead and a valiant 60-minute effort, Cal dropped its seventh straight game in a 33-28 loss to Arizona in front of 41,874 fans at Memorial Stadium.

"Just a hard-fought, tough, physical football game," head coach Sonny Dykes said afterward.

"We're disappointed," added linebacker Hardy Nickerson, who had eight tackles - including two for losses - and a sack. "We've been working very hard and it hasn't paid off."

Ka'Deem Carey rushed for 152 yards and quarterback B.J. Denker accounted for four touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) to their sixth victory of the season, making them bowl-eligible.

"Defensively, we did a lot of good things," Dykes said. "Carey got his yards, but he carried the ball a bunch. They were tough yards."

The Bears (1-8, 0-6) came out firing, driving 75 yards in 12 plays on the opening possession of the game. Jared Goff started 8-of-10 passing for 64 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Khalfani Muhammad.

But Arizona responded with a score to erase Cal's first lead since the Bears beat Portland State in the second week of the season. Denker orchestrated a nine-play, 73-yard drive and scored on a 9-yard keeper.

With the Wildcats threatening to score again, Cal's defense came up with a goal-line stop. Arizona gambled on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line, but the Bears stuffed Carey.

Any momentum the Bears gained didn't last long, though, as Cal's Darren Ervin was tackled in the end zone for a safety on the ensuing play and the Bears entered the second quarter down 9-7.

"They blitzed us off the edge, and somebody busted an assignment," Dykes said.

After 10 more points by the Wildcats, Goff connected with Kenny Lawler on a screen pass for a 17-yard touchdown, the first of Lawler's career.

Arizona led 19-14 at the half.

The Wildcats wasted no time finding the end zone in the second half. On the opening drive, Denker connected with tight end Terrence Miller for a 60-yard completion to Cal's 15-yard line. Moments later, Denker scored on a 1-yard run, and the Bears had given up a touchdown to start the third quarter for the third straight game.

Refusing to lie down, Cal responded as Goff found Lawler again on an incredible one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone.

The Bears, trailing 26-21, then had a chance to regain the lead late in the third quarter. But Goff threw an interception, and Denker scored his third rushing TD moments later.

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